Valve.



J. F. MOYNIHAN.

VALVE.

APELIOATION FILED MAY 31, 1913.

Patented Sept. 8, 1914.

I uve mini/n' Jaz/neSIZYoya/dhan,

-rurwonms PETERS C0.. PMOTU-LITHO., WASHINGTON, D. C.

UNTE STA JAMES F. IVIOYNHAN, F 1@IES/ NEVJTOJ, MASSACHUSETTS.

VALVE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Sept. 8, 1914.

4Amrilcation filed Tl/ay 31, 1913. Serial No. 770,885.

To all whom t muy concern le it known that I, JAMES F. Mora-THAN, a` citizen of the United States, and a resident of' lVest Newton, in the county of Middlesex and State of Massachusetts, have invented an Improvement in Valves, of which the tollowing description, in connection with the accompanying drawings, is specilication, like charactersl on the drawings representing like parts.

T his invention rel atcs to valves, and more especially, though not exclusively, to automatic shut-oil valves for gas, gasolene, or other supply pipes, which it is desirable to shut oli' in case ot fire.

My invention will be best understood by reference to the following specification, when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings of one specific embodiment thereof, While its scope will be more particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

ln the dravvings:

Figure 1 is a side elevation, partly in section, ot' a shut-ott valve embodying my invention; Fig. 2 is a central, longitudinal, sectional view of the same; Fig. 3 is a plan section on line 3---3 of Fig. 1; and l? ig. 4 is a sectional View on line el--fi of Fig. l.

Referring to the drawings, and to the embodiment of my invention whicn I have sclccted for illustrative purposes, l have there shown a valve comprising a valve casing 5, having an inlet 6, an outlet 7, and a valve seating 8 therebetween. The inlet 6 is intended to connected in practice by a suitable pipe 9 to the source ot' supply et' gas, gasolene, or other inflammable fluid, while the outlet 7 is intended to be connected in practice by a suitable pipe 10 to the supply pipes of the building. W'here the valve is used in connection with a gas supply system, the pipe 10 will lead to the meter, so that the latter, as Well as the piping of the building, will be shut ofi from the source of supply.

While l may employ any other suitable form ot valve, l prefer to use a valve 11 in the form of a tapered plug, and a valve seat oi' corresponding shape, in order that the valve may be self-centering and have a large seating area. The valve 11 may be mounted in any other sii-.itahle manner, but herein is provided with a threaded stem 12 passing through and secured to a yoke 15?, by means of a nut 14, While the yoke is herein provided with a pair of arms 15 having collars iti encircling a spindle, or shaft, 1T. lhile latter may be mounted to turn, I prefer to make it iixed, and allen7 the collars 16 to tui n thereon. In a device of this character, one et the principal requisites is that corrosion of the metal parts shall not cause them d render the device inoperative in i have, therefore, arranged the lars i6 so that they have a certain amount free play axially, and have constructed and arranged them so that they Will turn `with great freedom upon the spindle 17. In the lar ont instance, in order to accomplish this tree turning of the collars upon the spindle, .l have reduced the bearing surface or" the collars upon the spindle by countersinking each collar from both sides, to provide a knife edge 18 contacting with the spindle.

lncircling the spindle 17 is a helically I coiled torsional spring 19, having its terminal portions secured respectively to the yoke and spindle, the spring being Wound in such a direction as to tend normally to move the valve toward its seat. l/Vhile the spring may he secured to the yoke and spindle in any other suitable manner, in the present instance, it is provided With an arm 9.0. having a terminal portion 21 bent parallel to the spindle, and secured to the yoke in any appropriate manner, as by means of an ear 22. The other end of the spring may be secured to the spindle in any suitable manner,` but herein is provided With a terminal portion 23, bent inwardly and engaging a longitudinal slot 24 provided in the spindle. This slot has its entrance at one end of the spindle, so that the latter may be freely Withdrawn from its place Without disturbing the spring, as will presently appear. In the present instance, the inner end of the spindle is supported in a bearing 25 in the casing, While the other end extends through an aperture 26 to the exterior of the casing, and is there provided with suitable means to adiust the tension of the spring, and lock the spindle against rotation. For this purpose, the casing is herein provided with a laterally extending boss 27, having formed thereon a series of ratchetteeth 28, coperating in any appropriate manner with the spindle 17, adjustably to lock the same against rotation, as for example by providing the spindle with a laterally projecting pin QSL-engaging one of the ratchet teeth. To facilitate the turning of the spindle, for the purpose of placing the spring under tension and varying its tension, the outer end of the spindle may he provided With a polygonal hole 51.0, to receive a suitable key (not. shown), hu means of which the spindle may be turned. rl`his construction, moreover, provides a convenient means whereby the. tension of the spring may be measured from the exterior ofthe casing,by simply securing to the outer end of the spindle a. Weighted arm indicated in dotted lines in Fig. l. By this means, an inspector may instantly tes?v the spring, Without opening the valve casing, or disturbing any of its internal parte.

As means for housing the outer end of the spindle and the ratchet, to prevent unauthorized persons from tampering with the same, and as a means for preventing gas from leaking through the spindle bearing to the outer air, lf may provide a cap 3l threaded onto the boss 27, and l may provide a suitable compressible Washer 3Q. of leather, fiber, or other appropriate material, placed under compression by screwing the cap onto the boss. By simply removing this cap, the spindle and ratchet are rendered accessible, and if desired, the spindle may be vvithdrawn from its place Without disturbing the yoke.. ln order to facilitate the assembling of the Working parts Within the casing, the latter is provided with a threaded aperture 33, into which is screwed a cap 34. The aperture 33 is made sutliciently large to permit the introduction and assembling, or dismounting. of the interior parts. ing the caps 3l and 34, the spindle l may be Withdrawn, after which the spring i9 may he removed, Without disturbing the yoke and valve.

The valve may be held normally in its open position against the tension of the spring by any suitable means located any convenient point, either adjacent or at a considerable distance from the valve, but herein, the' stern of the latter extends into an aperture 35, and is there held by a suitable heatsensitive element 36, herein consisting of a ring, or plug, of fusible metal, which Will. melt at a low temperature, for example, 155 degrees F. An important feature of the invention resides in the fact that the fusible element is capable of supporting the valve and its yoke independently of the support afforded by the spindle, so that the latter may be removed, as before stated` Without disturbing the valve and yoke. if desired, the stem l2 may be provided with a hole 37 drilled there'into, for the purpose of renderingthe fusible metal more sensitive to the presence of heat. If the' valve is to be used for a liquid, it. may be desirable to seal the under sid-e of the fusible plug` with some suitable neutral material, such as shellac, or other resinous substance, which Will serve to By remov-` prevent the liquid from interfering with the of the metal. ill now be apparent that, under norlitions, the valve is held open by the 'al plujf in the position shown in i in Fig. 2;., and the flow of the gas fluid through the main perfectly unrestrictei ln case of lire, howthc temperature rises to 155 dev'., the fusible plug 36 melts, thus reand allowing the latter' to inliuence of the spring. By means, tir' supply of gas to the building v shut ofi", and the danger of om that source is removed. nave herein shown and described embodiment of my invention for purposes, and have disclosed and detail the construction and ar- Y nent incidental to one specific applithereof, it is to be understood that the invention is limited neither to the mere i s or relative arrangement of parts, nor iic embodiment herein shown, but teruive deviations from the illustrated forms or embodiments of the invention may be made without departing from thc principles thereoi.

aving thus described my invention, what l c n and desire by Letters Patent to procure is device of the class described comf g, in combination a casing having an inlet, an outlet, and a valve seat therebetween, valve, a sprinoj tending to move said valve toward said seat, means to guide and v port said valve in its movement toward id seat, and a l'ieat-scnsitive element normally supporting and holding said valve from its seat against the tension of said spring and independently ofthe supvrt atorded by the guiding means.

2. A device of the class described comprising, in combination, a casing having an inlet, an outlet, and a valve seat therebetween, a valve, means tending to move said valve toward said seat, a heat-sensitive element normally holding said valve avvay from its seat, means to guide said valve, and means permitting said guiding means to be removed from its place Without. disturbing said valve.

3. A. device of the class described comprising, in combination, a casing having an inlet, an outlet, and a valve seat therebetween, a valve, means tending to move said valve toward said seat, a heat-sensitive element normally holding said valve away from its seat, a spindle on which said valve is mounted to move toward and from said seat, and means permitting the removal of said spindle Without disturbing said valve.

4. A device of the class described comprising, in combination, a casing having an inlet, an outlet, and a valve seat therebe- LL elle t 'i v. cose under the this e tween, a valve, a spring tending to move said valve toward said seat, a heat-sensitive element normally holding said valve away from said seat, a spindle on whichl said valve is mounted to move toward and trom Suid seat, and means permitting the removal oi: said spindle and spring without disturbing said valve.

5. A device of the class described comprising, in combination. a casing having au inlet, an outlet. and a valve seat therebetween, a valve, a spring tending to more said valve toward said seat, a heatfselmirive element normally holding said valve awa.;v trom said seal, a spindle about wlii l'. said spring is coiled and on which said valve is. loosely mounted to move toward :ind avm" trom said seat, and means to hold said dle against rotation.

(S. A device of the class d: rilzefl coinprising, in combination, a casing having an inlet, an outlet and a valve eat there c tween, a valve, a spring tending to nime said valve toward said seat, a lzcat-scnsitive element normallyv holding said valve away from said seat, z. spindle about which said spring is coiled and on which said valve is mounted to move toward and awaj 'from said seat, said spring being connected at its opposite ends to said valve and spindle, respectively, and means to hold said spindle against rotation.

7. A device of the class descriled coin prising, in combination, a casing having au inlet, an outlet and a valve seat therebe-v tween, a 'alve. :s spring tending; to move said valve toward said seat, a heat-sensitive element normallyv holding said valve away from said seat, a spindle about which said spring is coiled and on vviiich .said valve is mounted to move toward and awav from saic seat, said spring 1oeing connected at its opposite ends to said valve and spindle, reV` spectively. and means permitting said spindle to be set in a pluralityv of positions ot adjustment thereby to adjust 'd sfn'ingr,

8. A device of the class described coini'niising, in combination, a c l; having* an inlet, an outlet, and a vale seat therebetween, spindle mounted in said casing. a valve mounted to swing about scid spindle. means imrmalljvv o hold said valve away trom said seat, a spring secured to said spindle and connected to said valv and tending to seat the same, and means to hold said spindle against rotation under the iniluence :rt said spring.

i). A device of the class described comprising, in combination, a casing having an inlet, an outlet, and a valve seat therebetween, a spindle mounted in said casing and extending at one end tarough the wall oi said casing, a valve mounted to svvi'fg about said spindle, meane1 normally to hold said valve away from said seat, a sprinfr said casing. a i alve mounted to swing al;out said suiudle, means normally to hold said ,un said seat, a spring secured k:rnlle and connected to said valve and toi-nung to scat the saine, and means inclnling a ratchet at the outer end ot said spindle to hold the same against rotation inder the @ice ot' said siring.

il. il. dence ot' the class described comprising. in con'E ination, a casing having an i'ilet. an fil-let. and a valve seat tlierehe txvevn, a .spindle mounted in saidfasing and extending ai one end through said casing, an arm loosely mounted on said spindle, i vale carfied liv said arm, a spring coiled ahou said spindle and secured at one end to said :uan and at the other end to said spindle and means to secure said spindle against rotation under the ins'luei'ife ot said spring.

l?. device of the class described comprisii in combination, a casing having an inlet. a i outlet, and a valve seat therebetween, a spindle mounted in said casing and extending at one end through said casing, l mounted on said spindle. a

an arnl listserv 'valve carried liv said arm. a spring coiled aoout :said spindle and secured at one end to said arm and at its other end to said spindle. `means to secure said spindle against oation under the induence ot said spring, and a cap (.foaering the outer end of said spindle.

l. fi device ot the class described comprising, in combination, casing having an inlet.` an outlet, and a valve seat therebetween, a spindle mounted in said casing and ctending at one end through said casing, an arm lnoselv mounted on said spindle, a vulve carried liv said arm, means normally to hold said valve away from said seat, a

swing tending to move said valve toward said scat, and a cap covering the outer end o.. said spindle.

ll. )i device of the class described com` pri-sing, in combination, a casing having an inlet, an outlet, and a valve seat therebetween, a spindle mounted in said easing and secured against rotation and extending at one er through said casing, an arm loosely mounted on said spindle and having knifeedge contact therewith, a valve carried by said arm, spring tending to s ving said arm ahont said spindle to close said. valve.

secured l and means normally to hold said arm and l l il thereby prevent said valve from moving` toward said seat.

l5. A device of the class described comprising, in combination, a valve casing having an inlet, an outlet, and a valve seat therebetween, a spindle mounted in said casing and extending at one end to the outside ci said casing, said spindle being provided 'l1-y said yoke, means normally to hold said ialve away from said seat, a spring coiled i about said spindle and having one end engaging said groove, and its other end engaging' said yoke and tending normally to more said valve toward said seat, a pin sefafid to the outer end of said spindle, and a series oil ratchet teeth on the valve casing one of which is engaged by said pin to hold said spindle against rotation in one direction.

l0. A derice of the class described comprising, in combination, a valve casing having an inlet, an outlet, and a valve seat therebetween, a spindle mounted in said casing and extending at one end to the outsidil oi said casing, said spindle being provided at its other end with a longitudinal groove, a yoke having two arms pro- `vided with collars encircling said spindle, a valve carried by said yoke, means normally to hold said valve away from said seat, a spring coiled about said spindle and having one end engaging said groove, and its other i end engaging said yoke and tending norl mally to move said valve toward said seat,

i a pin secured to the outer end of said spindle, a series of ratchet teeth on the valve casing one of which is engaged by said pin to hold said spindle against rotation in one direction, and a cap secured to said casing and inclosing said ratchet teeth, said pin, and the outer end of said spindle.

17. A device of the class described comprising, in combination, a valve casing having an inlet, an outlet, and a valve seat therebetween, a spindle mounted in said casing and extending at one end to the outside ot said casing, said spindle being provided at its other end with a longitudinal groove, a yoke having two arms provided with collars encircling and having knife-edge engagement with said spindle, a valve carried by said yoke, means normally to hold said valve away from said seat, a spring coiled about said spindle and having one end engaging said groove, and its other end engaging said yoke and tending normally to move said valve toward said seat, a pin secured to the outer end of said spindle, and a series of ratchet teeth on the valve casing one of which is engaged by said pin to hold said spindle against rotation in one direction.

ln testimony whereof, I have signed my name to this specification, in the presence ot' two subscribing witnesses.

JAMES F. MOYNIHAN.

Witnesses LoUis A. JONES, CLARA L. STUART.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

Washington D. C. 

